Abstract: In this review Frostytech is testing Titan's new Hati TTC-NC15TZ exposed heatpipe base CPU cooler. The TTC-NC15TZ is capable of very good performance results with the supplied 120mm PWM fan operating at full speed, however that trend quickly changes direction once fan speed is brought down for quieter operation...

In this review Frostytech is testing Titan's
new Hati TTC-NC15TZ exposed heatpipe base CPU cooler. The TTC-NC15TZ is capable of very good performance
results with the supplied 120mm PWM fan operating at full speed, however that
trend quickly changes direction once fan speed is brought down for quieter
operation...

Like many tower heatsinks, the Hati TTC-NC15TZ
heatsink has three exposed 8mm diameter direct contact heatpipes at the base.
These allow heat to be efficiently conducted from the CPU to the aluminum fins
without passing first through a secondary heat spreader where voids can impeed
thermal conduction.

While the
aluminum fins on the Titan Hati TTC-NC15TZ heatsink certainly aren't
identical to
any other heatsink Frostytech has tested, the basic structure is pretty
familiar by now. In any
event, Titan's Hati TTC-NC15TZ heatsink stands 159mm tall, is 129mm wide
and accommodates up to two 120mm fans. The one fan supplied with this
heatsink spins at 800~2200 RPM and generates between 32dBA to 50 dBA noise
according to Frostytech's real world sound measurements. Weighing 604 grams, the
TTC-NC15TZ heatsink installs onto Intel socket 775/1156/1155/1366 and AMD socket
AM2/AM2+/AM3 processors.

The Hati's three 8mm diameter copper heatpipes are
swagged into the aluminum base block and then ever so thinly milled flush.
Considering all the heatsinks that Frostytech has tested which employ 'heatpipe
direct touch' or 'direct contact heatpipes', we've found that milled base plates
tend to offer better results and flatter surfaces
than the 'light sanding finish' affords.

Exposed
heatpipe base
heatsinks work best with processors that have thick
integrated heatspreaders and even heat distribution over the entire CPU IHS
surface area. They can potentially encounter problems when heat is localized
too directly, such that one or two of the outside heatpipes receives
much less heat than the remainder.

The 48mm deep aluminum fins have a small saw toothed pattern at the leading
and trailing edges to help break up laminar airflow. The rubber vibration
absorbing fan posts slide easily into slots formed in the fin stack.

Heatsink Installation

Titan's Hati TTC-NC15TZ heatsink is compatible with Intel socket 775/1156/1155/1366 and AMD socket
AM2/AM2+/AM3 processors. The heatsink comes with a set of rear-motherboard support brackets and one upper metal clip
which accommodates all the CPU sockets. Assorted brass standoffs and thumbscrews make installation pretty
straight forward. It's not tool free, so be prepared to open up the
PC and install the motherboard rear support plate.

Extra rubber fan posts are supplied so as
many as two 120mm fans can be mounted on the heatsink. One fan is supplied with the
heatsink though. The fan speed reducer cable will drop fan speed from 2200RPM to
~ 1300RPM.

FrostyTech's Test Methodologies are outlined in detail here if you care to know what equipment is
used, and the parameters under which the tests are conducted. Now let's move
forward and take a closer look at this heatsink, its acoustic characteristics,
and of course its performance in the thermal
tests!